This was my first chance to cover an important, breaking story live — and to get my face on television. Terrified and thrilled, I agreed to head to the scene with our live streaming system called Streambox and a camera operator.

But what will happen when commercial drones take to the skies? They may become relatively autonomous, and communicate with one another to receive services and navigate aerial systems. In the very near future, UAS devices may reach out to one another for real-time assistance when their systems go down.

Companies spend millions of dollars and plenty of time with the goal of getting possible customers to “raise their hands,” to show interest in learning more or starting a relationship with their brand. One of the elements that I can attribute much of any academic and professional successes I’ve enjoyed is having a penchant for raising my own hand when it comes to my career path. It’s amazing how an action so simple can prove so powerful.

You’ve turned in your final paper. You’ve accepted that awesome job offer. And on graduation day, you walk across the stage and proudly accept your diploma. Maybe you think you’ve got it all figured it out (I totally did). Or maybe you don’t know what your next steps will be (that’s totally OK too).

Before I started my career, hearing about the “Real World" filled me with fear and distress. Both the reality show and the post-graduation destination seemed fraught with unknown dangers, from mean bosses to crazy housemates.

In a new series of columns, alums of USC Annenberg share stories of their time at the school, discuss their career, and offer advice to students.

Dedicated to Everyone Who Helped Me Do It

(1) Join and peruse LinkedIn. University groups are new, but all groups are useful. Announce your intentions on a myriad of social media. Invite people to join your quest.

(2)...